Adult Books That Teens Might Enjoy

Lizzie's best friend is kidnapped, and the police seem clueless. Lizzie begins her own detective work and uncovers secrets and obsessions of friends and neighbors in midwestern suburbia.

Tell the Wolves I'm HomeCarol Rifka Brunt

June thought she knew everything about her uncle Finn. But after his death from a new illness called AIDS, his grieving boyfriend delivers Finn's favorite teapot to June's door, and she realizes nothing is what she thought it was: not her family, not her uncle, not even herself.

Girl With a Pearl EarringTracy Chevalier

Have you ever thought about the story behind a person in a painting? Griet is the girl with a pearl earring painted by Vermeer, an artist. As the story unfolds, she is only sixteen and a servant in the household of the painter himself.

Peace Like a RiverLeif Enger

Life turns upside down for 11-year-old Reuben when Davy, his older brother, kills 2 intruders who plan to harm them. After Davy breaks out of jail, the family sets off to find him.

The Universe Versus Alex WoodsGavin Extence

It begins when Alex is hit in the head by a meteorite and it ends when he is arrested trying to enter England with marijuana, lots of cash, and the ashes of Mr. Peterson.

Water for ElephantsSara Gruen

Orphaned and penniless during the Depression, a veterinary student jumps a circus train and finds romance, danger, and an elephant named Rosie.

The Kite RunnerKhaled Hosseini

Set amid the destruction of modern Afghanistan, this novel follows two boys, linked by love, lies, sacrifice, and betrayal, and their different life paths.

Just After Sunset: StoriesStephen King

A porta-potty prison, class warfare on an apocalyptic afternoon, and other terrors abound in these macabre, absurd, and gleefully vulgar stories. Scary, dirty fun.

The Spellman FilesLisa Lutz

Isabel can’t quit her private investigator job; she works for her family, and they’ll kill her if she tries to leave. A quickly paced, quirky mystery.

Black Swan GreenDavid Mitchell

In the British village of Black Swan Green, 13-year-old Jason survives ghost sightings, bullies, a first kiss, and his parents' divorce.

The Night CircusErin Morgenstern

A circus comes to town! Young magicians Celia and Marco compete to be the best, having done so since childhood. However, under the backdrop of their intense rivalry, a blossoming romance develops.

Bad MonkeysMatt Ruff

Jane Charlotte earns her living by killing bad people for good reasons in this high-octane, clever thriller of conspiracies, revenge, and secret government agencies.

Help for the HauntedJohn Searles

Sylvie has been dealing with taunting classmates, her erratic older sister and the unsolved murder of her ghost-hunting parents. But more problematic are the cursed remnants of her parents’ work lingering in the basement.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour BookstoreRobin Sloan

Clay Johnson loses his web-designer job and begins working the night shift in a bookstore with only a few customers. This mashup blends mystery, adventure, and romance into a literary and technological tale.

Golden BoyAbigail Tarttelin

Max, an intersex teen, is confused about who he is and who he is meant to be. After one shattering night, he is faced with a choice that no boy should ever have to make.

Mother MotherKoren Zailckas

Why did Rose run away? Did Violet really stab her little brother? Is her alcoholic father really having an affair? In this chilling novel about family dysfunction, does mother really know best?